Repair Your Damaged Teeth with Conservative Dental Inlays and Onlays
When biting down on an almond, that loud crunch may leave you with pain when you chew. Or perhaps you’ve been ignoring a growing cavity, and now your favorite meals are accompanied by discomfort and sensitivity. When you visit your dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma, you learn that your tooth damage is too severe for a simple filling to restore the tooth to full functional health. So, what’s next?
For these in-between situations, Intentional Smiles may recommend an inlay or onlay. These therapeutic options offer a middle ground, effectively repairing moderate tooth damage without needing a full crown. It combines the strength that a dental crown provides while being more conservative with the amount of tooth structure removed. Expertly designed and placed by Dr. Taylor Barton, dental inlays and onlays fit neatly into your tooth to restore its function and appearance.
What are dental inlays and onlays?
Also called indirect fillings, dental inlays, and onlays, indirect restorations allow the dentist to repair extensive tooth damage without aggressive treatments like crowns. These indirect restorations are lab-made and customized to fit the areas damaged by decay, injury, or wear.
Although dental inlays and onlays are used interchangeably, they differ. Inlays fit precisely into the grooves of your tooth, repairing damage within the chewing surfaces of your tooth. Dental onlays cover a larger surface area, extending to one or more cusps. Some of the biggest onlays look like partial crowns, covering all the cusps but not the tooth’s sides. The wording only matters for how we use coding for the procedure
Indirect fillings can be created from several materials, including composite, porcelain, or gold. We opt for materials designed to match the natural aesthetics of your teeth. This allows our office to treat significant tooth damage with aesthetically appealing outcomes.
How are dental inlays and onlays placed?
Like dental crowns, indirect fillings are custom-designed and lab created to fit into your teeth. However, before fabrication, you’ll schedule a consultation with Dr. Barton to examine your tooth and determine whether an inlay/onlay is all you need. Significant damage may require advanced treatments like a root canal and dental crown.
Once we establish your suitability for a dental inlay or onlay, the dentist will gently remove your tooth’s decayed or damaged portions. Next, we’ll digitally scan your tooth to create your restoration while you wait comfortably in the chair. Dr Barton will then adhesively bond the inlay or onlay to your natural tooth and you will be able use the restoration as soon as you walk out the door with no waiting time.
What are the benefits of dental onlays and inlays?
Indirect restorations are superior to traditional fillings and offer similar protection to dental crowns. Dental inlays and onlays provide several benefits like:
- They are conservative, preserving much of your tooth’s healthy structure
- Natural feel and appearance
- Indirect fillings can last over 20 years with proper care
- Easy maintenance
- Enhanced oral function
- Renewed confidence
- Better tooth protection than traditional fillings
Ready to restore your smile?
Do you have tooth damage or decay beyond the scope of a dental filling? Dental inlays and onlays offer a conservative, effective, and affordable solution for restoring damaged teeth—call (405) 348-2266 to schedule an appointment with Intentional Smiles today.